Return steam-trap



V ModeL) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. MOGWIN.

RETURN STEAM TRAP.

N0.418,213. Patented Dec. 31, 1889.

akin anal;

(No Model.)

, 3 Sheets$heet 2'. J. MGGWIN.

RETURN STEAM TRAP.

Patented Dec. 31, 1889.,

(No Model.) 1 '3 SheetsSheet 3.

J. MoGWIN. RETURNSTEAM TRAP.

'No'. 418,213. Patented Dec. 31, 1889.,

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UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MCGW1N,-OF FULTON, MISSOURI.

RETURN STEAM-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 418,213, dated December31, 1889.

Application filed March 8, 1889.

Serial No. 302,506. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES MCGWIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fulton, in the county of Callaway and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Return Steam-Traps;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

- My invention relates to an improvement in return steam-traps for theautomatic return of water of condensation from radiators orsteam-heating-pipe coils to the steam-generator.

One object of my present invention is to provide a simple, cheap, andefficient trap that will work reliably under varying steampressure andautomatically discharge water from the heat-radiator to which it isattached, permitting it'to flow by gravity to the steamboiler fromwhence it came in the form of steam.

A further object is to furnish a return steam-trap which may be readilyrepaired or examined when necessary without removal from itspipe-connections, the major portion of the operatingmechanism beingoutside of the body of the trap.

\Nith these objects in view my invention con- .sists in certain featuresof construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims. Referring to the drawingsmaking a part of this specification, Figure '1 is a side elevation inperspective of the device complete. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of thetrap with the lid of the trap-chamber removed and the top tocxpose theinterior parts, the steam and air valves also'bein g shown in elevation,with their castings in section to expose their puppetvalves. Fig.5 is aView of the working parts of the trap, the same parts being shown. insection on the same lines as is exhibited in Fig. 4:, the adjustment ofthe trap 1necl1anism being changed. Fig. 6 representsa modified form ofsteam and air valves in position on the steam-chest of the device. Figs.7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are views in detail of the steamvalve shown in Fig.6.

A represents the main chamber or waterreceptacle of the trap. It ispreferably made of cast metal and is provided with a short column whichis hollow, and has a foot or base flange A formed on it to support theentire device, which may be secured firmly, if desired, by screwsinserted in the holes t. The pipe S is inserted through the verticalwall of the trapchamber A and is provided with a check-valve s. Saidpipe when extended is connected to the lower portion of a steamheatradiator or heating-coils, and is intended to convey water ofcondensation into the trapchamber, and it will be noticed that it willdischarge this water into a bucket G, which will presently be described.charge pipe M is made to intersect the hollow column A which pipe isalso furnished with a check-valve N, and beyond this valve isprojectedto enter the steam-boiler below the water-line of the same, thusconnecting the trap-body tothe steam-generator to return condensed waterto the latter. The upper edge of the chamber A terminates in alaterally-extended flange on which the capplate A is seated and theretosecured by screws or other preferred means. The meet ing surfaces of theflange and cap should be rendered true to afford a close joint betweenthem.

An open bucket C is placed in the chamber A. This is sustained pivotallyupon the inner end of the arm a, which is affixed to the rockshaft G,that is journaled in the integral boxes G, formed on the side surface ofthe chamber A. It will be seen in Figs. 2, 4E, and 5 that from thecurvature of the side of the chamber A a portion of the shaft G will belocated within this chamber, so that it may afford support to theinterior bucket O, as stated.

The means of swinging connection provided for the bucket O, to suspendit below the outer end of the arm a and connect it A water-disthereto,consists of two links I), pivoted to the free end of the arm a, and alsoto the upper end of the standard 0, which is projected from thecross-bar c, that is attached by its ends to the side wall of the bucketat opposite points, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

the splash-cup will flow gently into the bucket and over its edge intothe chamber A.

A steam-chest B is connected to the trap chamberA by the pipe T, whichis sufficiently stable to hold it in place firmly projected away a shortdistance from the upper edge of the trap-chamber. Said steam-chest ispreferably made in the form of a rectangular box having its rear sidesopen and flanged to receive alid B, which maybe secured'by screws orbolted fast to the chest, and thus afford means of access'to itsinterior.

Upon the upper wall of the steam-chest B two valves E F are secured. Thevalve E is a steam inlet valve, its casing having a threaded branchnozzle 6, to which a steamconduit pipe leading from thesteam-generfeature of the construction shown being the provision of aslightly-enlarged lower valve 7 c, whereby an increase of area forsteampressure is afforded this valve and a secure closure of the twovalves insured. This will be further alluded toin describing theoperation of the trap. The other valve F is also a double puppet-valve,and is intended to afford escape of steam from the body or chamber A ofthe trap. In this valve the lower diskh is smaller than the upper disk71 so that the latter-named valve-disk will receive increasedsteam-pressure from the chest B when the parts are moved to close theairvalve F, this slight excess of pressure serving to hold the air-valvesecure on its seat while steam from the boiler is automatically actingto empty the trap of condensed water that has entered it from theradiator-coil to which it is attached, as will be more fully explained.

It will be noticed that an air-inlet 7 is provided for the valve F,which will introduce atmospheric air and permit the escape of steam fromthe trap at a proper time.

closed by the vertical reciprocation of the bucket. To this end theshaft G is extended beyond the chamber A, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, astuffing-box G and follower G serv ing to render the joint steam andwatertight and at the same time allow the shaft to rock freely.

Upon the shaft G, near its outer end, the cross-arm His placed andfastened thereto, said arm having the weight K adj ustably secured uponthe end that projects oppositely to the direction of the crank-arm a.The tappet-bar I is loosely mounted upon the shaft G outside of thecross-arm H, and upon its limbs p are rnovably affixed the tappets 1119which may be set or adjusted vertically at any desired point, they beingslotted, as shown in Figs, 1, at, and 5, to permit such change ofrelative position.

Upon the upper end of the vertical portion I of the tappet-bar I anadjustable weight L is mounted, which may be moved vertically toregulate its effect with regard to other connected parts of themechanism.

lVithin the steam box or chest 13 a short shaft d projects, astuffing-box d protecting the joint where said shaft extends beyond theoutside of the chest. On the shaft (1 an outside crank 01 is fastened,and within the chest a similar crank n is secured on the inner end ofthe shaft d.

A rocking bar R (shown detached in Fig. 6) is provided, which hasslotted ends, or this bar may be formed of two parallel plates, as shownat R in the same figure. The ends of the rocking bar are rounded, as atf, and these engage the radial flanges of the collars g, which areadjustably secured upon the depending stems 2'. h of the puppet-valves EF.

A slotted plate or link 6 is secured to the rocking bar R at 6 and itwill be noticed that this point of rigid connection of the link-v plateand rocking bar is nearer to the stem h of the air-valve F than theother stem 1 of the valve E. llhis is for the purpose of assuring theclosure of the steam-valve before the air-valve is opened,iand thereverse; and to further facilitate the assured operation of thesevalves, as just mentioned, the collars on the air-valve stem are set aslight distance 3 away from the rounded ends f of the rocking bar, whichhave rolling connection therewith, so that the lost motion thus affordedwill permit the steam-valve to be securely seated before the air-valveis lifted. The two cranks (Z n are preferably projected in the samedirection, the inner crank 01 being loosely connected to the link-platee by a pin n, which projects from the end of thiscrank-arm to enter theslot 0' of the link-plate, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 in dotted lines.The outer crank-arm d is pivoted to the connecting-rod .T, which isloosely secured near its outer end, as at m, to the vertical portion 1'of the tappet-bar I, the connecting-rod being slotted to permit a properadjustment of parts with regard to each other.

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A small pipe 0 extends from the end of the steam-chest B toward thecheck-valve N and taps the cap of this valve, a valve or cock P beingintroduced in said pipe to afford means for closing it when desired.

There is a petcock 0 placed near the center of the lid A of thetrap-chamber A to exhaust air therefrom when the trap is being put intoservice.

It should be stated that chamber A, bucket O, and splash-cup D arepreferably made of a metal that is not liable to rust.

The combined weight of the tappet-bar I, connecting-rod J, weight L,cross-arm H, and weight K .in relation to that of the bucket andsplash-cup and arm a should be such that the weight K will overbalancethe weight of the empty bucket and cup, lifting them readily; and,further, when the bucket C is filled with water while the trap-chamber Ais empty, or, at least, has not enough Water in it to float the bucket,then't-he weight of the filled bucket should preponderate over that ofthe weights L K and supporting parts and vibrate the rock-shaft G, so asto carry the bucket down into the chamber, as shown in dotted lines inFig. l.

In Fig. 4 the bucket C is represent-ed as full of waterand thetrap-chamber also up to the line a, the contact of the edge of the crossarm H with the tappet 1) having taken place while the bucket C wasrising in the chamber by reason of its buoyancy, resulting fromsupport'a-fforded by the water in the trapchamber surrounding it, thusallowing weight K to preponderate and elevate the bucket. It is evidentthat when a sufficient height is attained by the bucket G the tappet-barI will vibrate on the shaft G and cause the connectingrod J to changethe position of the valve E, so as to open it, as shown in said Fig. 4.It is preferred to give the crank it a vertical position when the valveE is full open. This, with the inclined position of the tappet-bar I,and consequent overhanging of the weight L, will hold the puppet-valvesit full open until they are closed by the further operation of themachine.

In operation of the device as a whole we will suppose that the air-valveF is open. (See Fig. 5.) The steam-valve E will remain closed whilewater flows into the trap-chamber, fills the bucket, overflows it, andrises in the chamber. The bucket will be elevated by the weight K untilthe proper height is attained, when the tappet-bar I will be vibratedand the valves change position, the steanrvalve being opened, as shownin Fig. 4. Steam then entering the chest B and upper portion of thechamber A will equalize pressure in the same with that in the boiler, sothat the gravity of the water in the trap-chamber will open thecheck-valve N and cause the water to flow into the water-spac of thesteam generator descent of the bucket C, by reason of the weight ofwater in it overbalancing the weight K,will cause the tappet-bar to beengaged by the rocking of the cross-arm H, so that the valve E willagain be closed and air-valve opened. The trap-chamber, being relievedof pressure,will be quickly filled with condensed water from theradiator-coils (not shown) by reason of steam-pressure in said coils.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the operation of thedevice is automatic and periodical in discharge of water of condensationfrom radiatorcoils or other pipes which it is desired to relieve of suchwater accumulations, and that this water will be returned to the boilerin a reliable manner.

It has been found that there is at times an. accumulation of air abovethe valve in check N, which if it remains may retard the discharge ofwater, especially if the trap is working under a reduced steam-pressure.To effectually remove such air accumulation, the cock P in the pipe 0 isallowed to remain open. This will discharge the air into the steam-chestB when the air-valve F is open, and thus prevent any impediment to theperfect action of the trap under any range of pressure of steam.

In Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9,10, and 11 is shown a more simple form of steam andair valves, which may be preferred as being cheaper to construet, whileequal efficiency of action is attained by their use.

Referring to Fig. 7, which exhibits an enlarged sectional elevation ofthe steam-valve, it will be seen that a main puppet-valve L is provided,which engages with its disk a seat formed concentric with thecylindrical shell of the valve E. Said valve L has integral wingedprojections 3' formed upon its disk. The lower set of wings 11.,extending clownwardly, have sliding contact with the edge of thevalve-seat to steady thevalve when it reciprocates vertically. The upperwings s are supported at their edges, so as to slide freely upward, bythe integral flange or ring S, formed on the interiorof the shell of thevalve E. The valve L and its wings a s are perforated through thelongitudinal axis of the same to receive a stem orrod L, upon which isformed the small valve-disk L, that is adapted to form a steam-tightjoint upon a true seat which is produced on the upper surface of thecenter hub of the wings s. A vertical stem s projects from the uppersurface of the valve L a sufficient length to enter an orifice 3 that isformed in the cap 7) of the shell E, thus providing a guide for thisvalve L. From the lower surface of valve L a shank or stem L isdownwardly extended through the longitudinal perforation of the mainvalve L and its wings a 8', said stem being flattened, as shown in Fig.10, to provide passages for steam through the axial perforation of themain valve L The stem L is of suff cient length to receive theadjustable collars g g,

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which may be set to bear loosely against the rounded ends f of therocking bar R, as previously described. There is another movable collarmounted on the valve-stem L, which is secured by a set-screw a shortdistance below the lower edge of the wings a, so that when thevalve-stem L is elevated by the upward rocking of the bar R the smallvalve L will be opened for the passage of steam down through the mainvalve L before said main valve is raised off its seat, which latteroperation is manifestly effected by the abutment of the collar g withthe lower edges of the wings to. At a proper point between the flange S'and valve-seat of the main valve L a steaminlet or branch m is formedpipe may be attached, which will convey steam into. the valve-shell fromthe steamboiler. (Not shown.) An air-valve F (see -Fig. 6) is secured onthe lowerside of the chest B at a suitable point to allow it to beopened by engagement of the collars g with the rounded ends f of therocking bar U.

The operation of the steam-valve just described is perfectly efficient,and is substantially as follows: \Vhen steam is introduced intothe shellof the valve E, it fills the space around the wings s of the main valveL and passes up between said wings, so as to press on the small valve L.Now, the'area of the small valve is such that it will offer but littleresistance to the action of the valve-operating mechanism, so that whenthe bucket O is elevated the arm H will be rocked and engage the tappetp, tilting the tappet-bar I from the position shown in Fig. 6, whichaction will elevate the small valve L in an obvious manner. As soon asthe valve L is opened steam will flow down through the central orificeof the main valve L and fill the chest B, thus nearly equalizingpressure on each side of the main valve L Consequently when the furtherrocking action of the barU raises the main valve but little resistanceis offered to its upward movement, the heft of thepea or movable weightK being sufficient to effect this desired result.

The operation of the air-valve F is selfevident, and that of the trap asan entirety is identical with that already described.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a return-trap, the combination, with a trap-chamber, asteam-chest, a hollow basecolumn, a water-inlet pipe, and awater-discharge pipe, of a check-valve in the inletpipe, a check-valvein the discharge-pipe, and an air-discharge pipe that connects the topof the check-valve shell that is on the waterdischarge pipe with thesteam chest, substantially as set forth.

2. In a return-trap, the combination, with a trap-chamber, a rockingshaft, an arm on this shaft, an open bucket suspended on this arm on itsfree end, and a splash-cup, of a water-inlet pipe, a check-valve in thispipe, a water-outlet pipe, a valve in this pipe, a steam-chest, a pipethat connects the chest and trap-chamber, a cross-arm secured on therock-shaft outside the trap-chamber, a tappet-bar loosely mounted on therock-shaft and inposition to engage the cross-arm with the tappets, aconnecting-rod, a link-plate, a shaft bearing an inside and outercrank-arm, a slotted link-plate secured to a rocking bar and looselyconnected to the pin of the inner crank-arm, a rocking bar having itsends engaged by flanged collars on the stems of an air-valve and asteam-valve, an air-valve that ,is nearly balanced, and a nearlybalancedsteam-valve, substantially as set forth.

in the shell of the valve E, to which a steamfa steam-chest,-a shaftworking steam-tight in gthe side of this chest, an outer crank-armaffixed to this shaft, an inner crank-arm also secured to this shaft, aslotted link-plate engaged by the pin of the inner crank-arm, and farocking bar secured to the link-plate rigidly, of a nearly-balancedsteam-valve and a nearly-balanced air-valve, each having their 3. In areturn-trap, the combination, with stems loosely connected to therounded ends 5 of the rocking bar, and thus adapted to be opened andclosed alternately by the vibration of the rocking bar, subs antially asset forth.

4. In a return-trap, the combination, with a steam-chest, a shaftworking in a stuffingboX on the side of the chest, an outer crankarm, aninner crank-arm, both armssecured on the ends of this shaft, and theyinner arm provided with a wrist-pin, of a slotted linkplate which isengaged by the pin of the inner crank-arm, a rocking bar secured rigidlyto the link-plate and furnished with rounded ends slotted, an air-valve,a steam-valve, both valves nearly balanced and having depending stems,and adjustable collars mounted on the valve-stems of both valves andhaving loose engagement with the rounded slotted ends of the rockingbar, substantially as set forth.

5. In a return-trap, the combination of a trap-chamber having aremovable cover provided with a petcock, an open-top bucket providedwitha perforated-bottom splash-cup D, an arm connected to a rock-shaft,a link-connection b, a water-inlet pipe, a water-discharge pipe,check-valves in each of these pipes, a steam-chest, steam and airvalves, and connection devices whereby the said valves are operated, asspecified.

6. The combination. of the two chambers A and B, the gravitatin g bucketand its splashcup in the chamber A, suspended from the arm of arock-shaft, the two air and steam valves, the weighted tappet-bar I andcrossarm II, fast on said shaft, and-adjustable connection of this armwith the actuating crankarm n of the shaft 61, as specified.

7. The tappet p adj ustably applied on the limbs 19 of the vibratingtappet-bar I, in combination with the cross-arm on rock-shaft G,

the air and steam valves, and a Weight adjustably applied on said crossarm, as speci 8. In the return steam-trap, the combination, with thesteam-chest B and its steam and air valves, as described, of the slottedplate 6, keyed on a rocking shaft, means for rockingthis shaft, therocking bar R, having rounded ends f, and the adjustable collars g onthe stems of said valves, as specified.

9. The combination, with the stems of the air and steam puppet-valvesand collars ad-

